Why Sasha Obama missed her dad Barack’s final speech as president

By Sharnaz Shahid

January 12, 2017

Although all eyes were on
Barack Obama as he delivered his final speech as president on Tuesday (Jan. 10), viewers were keen to know the whereabouts of his youngest daughter Sasha. The 55-year-old, who will end his eight-year run in the White House this month, was supported by wife and First Lady Michelle and their eldest daughter Malia at the farewell address, which was held in his home city of Chicago - but Sasha was noticeably absent.

During Wednesday's episode of the
Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Michelle revealed her 15-year-old daughter had to miss the speech because of a final school exam. "Sorry, take your test - you can say goodbye later," she teased.

During his speech, Barack had hailed his daughters for growing up in the limelight so gracefully, telling the crowd: "Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I've done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad."

The one-hour
Tonight Show was dedicated to Michelle, who was serenaded by legendary singer Stevie Wonder. Recalling the moment he first hoped Barack would become president, Stevie said: "We talked about me doing a benefit for him. I said to him... let's pray you become President of the United States. Prayers do come true. That was a magical moment… And to have a wonderful Queen as his wife."

Sasha Obama (L) did not attend the event in Chicago due to school.

Mother-of-two Michelle went on to talk about the time how she met her husband through their love of the music legend. "That was prerequisite," she confessed. "He had to be able to play ball and he had to like Stevie Wonder." When quizzed about saying goodbye to her position as First Lady, Michelle added: "I feel like crying right now. It's been surprisingly emotional for all of us in ways that we didn't expect."

The 55-year-old will end his eight-year run in the White House this month

Towards the end of the show, comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle joined Jimmy to play a special version of
Catchphrase during which Michelle helped the host write his "thank you" notes for the week. "Thank you Barack, for proving you're not a lame duck... but my very own silver fox," Michelle wrote, to which Jimmy responded: "Thank you first lady Michelle Obama, for bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'the right to bear arms'."

Michelle and Barack will be moving to a beautiful home in Washington D.C. before he hands the responsibility of presidency over to Donald Trump and his wife Melania this month.

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